Improvement in table-leaf supports



M. & V. RATHKNECHT; TABLE-LEAF SUPPORTS.

No. 194,9, Patent'ed. Sept 11,1877.

UNITED IMPROVEMENT IN TABLE-LEAF SUPPORTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,974, dated September 11, 1877 application filed February 15, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, MATHIAS RATH- KNEOHT and Vrcron RATHKNECHT, of Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Table-Leaf Supports, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of our improved table-leaf'support. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view, upon a larger scale, of a portion of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of the socket-plate shown in section at Fig. 2.

Like letters of reference indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

In the said drawing, A represents the body of the table; B, the top thereof, and C the leaf, hinged to fold down in the usual manner.

D is the leaf-support, which consists of a triangular bracket, pivoted to the under side of the leaf in such manner that it may be folded fiat against the under side of the leaf, in which position it will allow the leaf to be turned down. This bracket consists of the part d, which lies at all times close up to the leaf, and has a pivot, e 0 at each end to permit the bracket to be turned up fiat against the leaf, and of the depending part d, which, when the leaf is raised, swings down to rest against the table-body.

In order to obtain a strong and permanently solid structure, not likely to be affected by the warping of the leaf, and for other obvious reasons, it is better that the inner pivot c of the bracket should have its bearing in the body of the table, as shown in the draw ing; and this renders it necessary to provide the bracket with a joint, as at 0 to allow the bracket to fold down with the leaf.

To accommodate this joint, as well as to afford a suitable bearing-surface for the inner pivot, the table-body is cut away and shod with a metal shell, E, which is made with a cavity, F, to receive the'joint c and said cavity is made to form a stop, m, at one side to prevent the bracket from swinging 'past the proper vertical position when the leaf is raised. The pivot 0 passes through this metal shell, and is held, if desired, by a'nut or projection upon the inside of the table-body.

The upper edge of the bracket, as at n, had better be cut away slightly to allow the leaf to warp, if it inclines to do so, without binding the pivots.

When the leaf is to be lowered the bracket is to be turned up flat against the under side of the leaf. This may be done with the same hand with which the said leaf is lowered, as the outer end of the bracket is so near the outer edge of the leaf that it may be grasped with the leaf. When the leaf is-raised the bracket falls into the proper position to support it of its own weight and accord.

Having thus fully described our invention, that which we regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The bracket pivoted to the under surface of the leaf, and to the table-body, and provided with a joint to permit it to fold with the leaf.

2. The combination of the bracket D, having the pivots c c and joint c with the leaf C, the table A, and the shell E, and stop m.

MATHIAS RATHKNECHT. VICTOR RATHKNECHT.

Witnesses J OHN W. MUNIDAY, FORDE B. SMITH.

QFFICE. 

